Since its inception in 1999, International Human Resources Day (International HR Day) has grown in popularity among HR professionals and managers worldwide. The day-long celebration of the people side of business was initially organized by the international nonprofit Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). Now, it’s celebrated every year on December 6th in countries around the world—but why? What purpose does this day serve, and how do people celebrate it? To answer these questions, let’s first take a look at the history of International HR Day and how it came to be.
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Respectable History
The International Day of Human Resources (IDHR) is a professional holiday that gives us pause to recognize some of our most vital assets. The IDHR was formally adopted by United Nations in 2004 and is celebrated every year on October 28th worldwide. Why do we observe an international day for human resources? Because everyone benefits from strong, well-functioning human resources teams, so we acknowledge them annually as well!
Mission and Vision
Companies with a clear mission and vision can inspire their employees. The overall purpose of your business’s vision should be to inspire, challenge, and hold your organization accountable for achieving meaningful goals. According to Gallup’s State of the American Workplace Report, 58% of employees are disengaged—not motivated or inspired by their work or workplace—and almost 70% are willing to leave their jobs because they don’t see themselves advancing in their careers. If you want your company to become an employer of choice and compete in today’s talent market, it is important that every employee has a crystal-clear idea of what his or her company stands for.
Values and Beliefs
HR professionals are often leaders in their organizations. In today’s volatile business environment, it’s essential that they convey a strong commitment to organizational values and beliefs. One of my favorite things about human resources is how you can apply your personal passions to a professional setting. Think about what you value most in your life—and try to incorporate it into your career path. For example, if volunteer work is important to you, see if there are any opportunities for professionals in your organization to donate time or resources. If one-on-one mentoring appeals to you, consider creating a coaching program within your company that invites employees from all levels of management—including senior leadership—to share knowledge with their peers on an individual basis.
Contributions to Society
From an organizational perspective, a strong human-resources department is key to success. Employees are a company’s most important asset and should be treated as such. But, as every leader knows, that can be easier said than done. In an age of ever-tightening budgets and shareholder expectations, meeting all employees’ needs—while keeping their skill sets current—can be difficult in even a small business setting. That’s why many companies choose to partner with HR consulting firms like Pragmatic Works Consulting or other experts who can make sure a company is on track toward success.
Why Do We Need an International HR Day Celebration?
Most people may not know it, but there’s an international holiday dedicated to celebrating all things human resources (HR). Every year, on March 27th, we take time to honor and acknowledge one of business’ most vital functions. But why exactly do we need an HR day? For one thing, it helps businesses focus on their most valuable asset—their employees. What better way to show them how important they are than by setting aside a special day for them? Beyond that, International HR Day also gives us a chance to educate folks about our profession and how crucial it is for organizations to have a good strategy in place when handling everything from recruiting new hires to tackling challenging issues like workplace discrimination.
Celebrating the Worth of Our Work in the Workplace
It’s not often that we stop to think about why we do what we do. If you’re an employer, it may be because you want to make a profit, increase your employees’ salaries or help your company expand. If you’re an employee, it may be because you enjoy and love what you do—or maybe just feel obligated because of a paycheck. Either way, HR has had a hand in helping shape who and what we are at work. On October 16th each year, however, HR is honored for their accomplishments in both Canada and America as National Human Resource Professionals Day gets underway. So why is National HR day celebrated?
